Teenagers have an increasing number of drug use and abuse today. The youngest known drug addict is of age 10. The addict is addicted to Heroin. That is why if teens can do drugs, how much more with adults. As a teenager goes older, she is stuck with being a drug addict all his life. This is why prevention of teenage addiction is important. Concerned parents, even friends and relatives, should be aware of the many effects of addiction to drugs. There are many signs and symptoms of a drug addict and one must be aware of it to avoid you or your child from being in a “wrong crowd.”
Usually Teen Drug Addiction starts with their peers. Out of curiosity and peer pressure, a teenager may try it just for the hang of it. He, or she, may be trying it because his friends do too. Friends play an important part in a teen’s life. He, or she, hangs around with them most of the time. This is why if you are a parent, a sister, a brother, or just a friend, it is important to be concerned with this dangerous activity.
A fact about teenage addiction is that juveniles are at greater risk of becoming addicted compared to those who begin drug use as an adult due to the immaturity of the teenage brain. The part of the brain that controls impulses is affected and therefore addiction to drugs is implanted already. The symptoms of drug abuse include: tolerance to a substance, withdrawal episodes, using drugs for longer periods of time, and problems managing life issues due to the use of a drug. The last one is so important to control because teenagers seem to have their own decisions and guiding them may become very difficult. Leading them to the right path is hardest especially when he/she is into drugs.
Physical manifestations depend on the type of drug he/she is using. The most common drugs are also easy to notice because they seem to have a more obvious physiological sign. Starting with the most used drug by teenager, the tobacco products. Nicotine or cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health. The long-term effect of it is lung cancer, heart attack or stroke, chronic lung diseases, and many more. Second most popular drug is the Marijuana. Marijuana is so popular to teens. Marijuana is cheap and accessible. In the drug world, marketing marijuana to teens is easy too. Marijuana has many names like pot or bong or pipe. Long-term abusers trying to quit report irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which make it difficult to quit. Depression, suicidal, psychosis, and other mental disorders may be results of this type of drug addiction.
They say that prevention is better than cure. Prevention is the key to avoid incidence such as mentioned above. The key to avoid your teens from going with drug addict friends is to create a safe and secure environment at home. They will not feel peer pressure because they are not stressed at home. A teenager who is secure at home will choose to stay at home rather than anywhere else.